(CNN Philippines) — With backs against the wall, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters played with so much gusto and cohesion to hammer out a 101-93 victory over Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in Game 6 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Sunday (April 26).
More importantly, the Elasto Painters kept their heads above the water in the best-of-seven series as they forced a do-or-die match on Wednesday (April 29) also at the Big Dome.
Raymond Almazan showed the way for Rain or Shine with 18 points, 11 of which he scattered in the opening quarter to set the tone for the Elasto Painters.
“Raymond played another excellent game not only on offense but also on defense,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “He challenged shots of Ranidel (de Ocampo) and Jayson (Castro).”
De Ocampo and Castro, though, still finished with 21 and 17 points, respectively, for the Tropang Texters, who didn’t get much help from import Ivan Johnson who scored a measly six points.
Before Sunday’s contest, Johnson hadn’t scored lower than 15 points.
His counterpart, Rain or Shine reinforcement Wayne Chism, made his presence felt with 18 points, while Paul Lee chipped in 16 markers.
Jeff Chan, supposedly out for the rest of the series, played through pain and scored 11 points, including eight straight in the first four minutes of the second quarter.
“Jeff Chan was in pain. He called me up last night, asked if he can make a contribution and he did, trying to show the rest of the team he really wanted to make contribution. Even in pain he wanted to help,” Guiao said.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 101 – Almazan 18, Chism 18, Lee 16, Chan 11, Cruz Jericho 10, Quinahan 9, Tiu 7, Norwood 6, Ibanes 3, Arana 3, Uyloan 0, Belga 0.
TALK N’ TEXT 93 – De Ocampo 21 Castro 17, Washington 14, Carey 13, Fonacier 11, Johnson 6, Alas 4, Williams 4, Rosser 3, Aban 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 54-42, 76-71, 101-93
